This won’t be Astana’s first appearance at the Games of the Future. The club claimed the bronze medal at last year’s tournament and secured its place in the 2026 finals by successfully coming through the qualification stage in March.
Representing both Astana and Kazakhstan at this year’s event will be team captain Ruslan Aitkali, Robert Pan, Sardal Abashidze and Ruslan Vlasov. The tournament will mark Vlasov’s first appearance in his new role as the team’s digital coach. Since finalising the roster, the squad has been preparing for the unique demands of phygital basketball—a format that will be a new experience for several members of the team.
What is phygital basketball?
Phygital basketball combines competitive gaming with traditional basketball, with each match played across two stages: a digital contest followed by a game on the court. The final score is determined by combining the results from both.
Digital stage
Each team begins with two players competing in a basketball video game. The match lasts up to 10 minutes or ends earlier if either team reaches 19 points. The score from the digital game then carries over into the on-court match.
Physical stage
The same teams then face off in a 2-on-2 basketball game played under phygital basketball rules. Play begins with the score from the digital stage already on the board. The game continues until one team reaches 39 points or seven minutes of playing time have elapsed. If neither team reaches the target score, the winner is determined by the score at the final buzzer. If the teams are still tied, the match is decided by free throws.
The Games of the Future is an international multi-sport event that blends traditional sport with modern technology, bringing together athletes and gamers from around the world in competitions where digital and physical performance are equally important.
We wish our team the very best of luck as they compete on home soil and represent Kazakhstan on the international stage.
 «Samruk-Kazyna» National Welfare Fund |
 Uniform operator «Tourism Industry and Sports Support Fund» |
